The G20 Labour and Employment ministries meeting was developed on 12-13 July, in Beijing. During the event, attendants addressed the main issues of concern in terms of employment and the labour world. As a result, the G20 Ministerial Declaration was developed and has now been published, focusing on key issues such as innovation, decent work, employability and inclusive growth.

According to the G20 labour and employment ministries, productive employment and decent work are the basis of the livelihoods of people across the world. This means that the creation of more quality jobs is a crucial factor for strong, sustainable and balanced growth, and a prerequisite for inclusive, interconnected and sustainable development. All of which is in accordance to reaching the social and labour market goals set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The main priorities include: promoting decent work, creating more and better jobs, supporting the swift return of the unemployed to employment, increasing labour force participation, reducing underemployment and facilitating the transition from informal to formal economy.

To achieve these goals, pro-employment macro-economic and structural policies are vital. Furthermore, public and private investment, well-functioning skill systems, and programs for promoting better youth employment outcomes must be implemented.

The ministries claim that innovation plays a major role in promoting economic growth and job creation in a context of fast technological changes and globalization, and agree to encourage innovation through practical actions.

In such a context, it is key to enhance employability and adaptability among workers and employers, so they can adjust to transformations. The ministries have developed Policy Recommendations to Enhance Employability (check Annex 2) to inform about their national strategies for workforce development as appropriate.

The ministries do point out that work-based learning, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and apprenticeships play a vital role in ensuring that skills acquisition and adaptation are in line with changing skills requirement at work. Furthermore, they have created the G20 Initiative to Promote Quality Apprenticeship (check Annex 3)

In addition, the Declaration acknowledges that another key driver for decent job creation, creativity, innovation and economic growth is entrepreneurship. Moreover, entrepreneurs can help to promote gender equality, increase workforce participation of vulnerable groups and boost the silver economy. As a result, they have agreed on the G20 Entrepreneurship Action Plan (check Annex 1).

Finally, the G20 ministries have expressed their commitment to ensure full respect for the fundamental principles and rights at work and their recognition for the important role of social dialogue as a key component of decent work. This year, they have adopted a range of policy principles and recommendations to address the challenges faced in terms of wages, social protection and working conditions, building on the G20 Job Quality Framework.

You can read the full G20 Ministerial Declaration here.

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